Reel Repair by Alan Tani

For Sale => Vintage Offshore Tackle by Randy Pauly => Topic started by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 02, 2016, 11:00:05 PM

Title: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 02, 2016, 11:00:05 PM
We had a great trip at Puerto Vallarta, with just 8 guys fishing on the 70' Apollo.  The daytime fishing was very spotty with just a few fish caught running and gunning on the slide with live caballitos.  I got a couple of small fish on the popper, but we only had three or four shots at them within casting range for the whole trip.  We caught maybe a half-dozen fish total on the kite and balloons.  There were a pair of seiners working the area so the fish were a little bit squirrelly and boat-shy.  We lost one day to bad weather where we had to anchor up on El Banco because it was too rough to drift.  I came up out of my bunk one time and it looked like we were in a giant washing machine with 30 kt. wind and seas going in every direction so I went back to bed for the rest of the day because I was afraid that I would get sick if I stayed on deck, but otherwise we had very fishable weather.

The night-time fishing was a different story.  I would guess that we had at least twenty fish over 100 lbs for the two nights of good fishing, both on squid and jigs (about 50/50).  I had five over 100 including a 160 and a 220.  I was on the bigger fish for two hours on 130 lb with 35 lbs. of drag once it settled down, and bumped it up to 42 lbs at the end.  The fish dragged me around the boat more than a dozen times (I mean it literally dragged me because I couldn't get the rod off of the rail).  I was using my Calstar GF755XXH with my 23 year-old old Cal's Penn 50SW full of 150 braid with a 130 lb. wind-on.  The short rod was great for pulling but I had several really close calls in the corners when the fish was doing big circles near the end.  I felt the line touch the boat twice even though I had my arms stretched out as far as I could go with the heavy drag, and I thought it was all over both times, but I got away with it.  I will not be using a short stick on a big sportboat again.

I am waiting to get some good photos from the rest of the guys as I did not bring a camera, but here's the one shot that someone sent to me of my best fish of the trip.  It taped out at 74" long to the fork, but was pretty slender so it only went 220.  It had a set of amazing sickle fins.  I am on the left with the beard and the rod.

If anyone wants any info on the Apollo Puerto Vallarta program, please let me know.

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: STRIPER LOU on February 02, 2016, 11:35:37 PM
WOW Randy, looks like you guys had a ball. Its a blast catching those hundred pounders on jigs huh!!!!
Nice work,  ..  Lou
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: BMITCH on February 02, 2016, 11:59:42 PM
NICE FISH!!!!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: alantani on February 03, 2016, 12:01:46 AM
congratulations!!!!!!!  now get back to work!   ;D
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: conchydong on February 03, 2016, 12:12:40 AM
Awesome, great job!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Tightlines667 on February 03, 2016, 12:17:42 AM
Nice work Randy!

30K not winds are no joke, and are uncomfortable at the least, on these larger vessels. 

Way to get it done!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: steelhead_killer on February 03, 2016, 12:29:22 AM
Lots of sushi!   :o
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: swill88 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:37 AM
Great report Randy!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:54 AM
Nice catch Randy!

Love the shirt as well...;)

Chad
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Alto Mare on February 03, 2016, 12:42:28 AM
Nice fish Randy, I'm glad you had a great trip. How's your shoulder., from the pic looks like you're still standing straight, must not be too bad ;D.
Great job and good advice on the longer rod.

Sal
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Dominick on February 03, 2016, 12:45:06 AM
Well done Randy.  Dominick
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: David Hall on February 03, 2016, 12:46:29 AM
Nicely done.  Looks like it was a great trip.
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Shark Hunter on February 03, 2016, 12:50:50 AM
Good Job Randy!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Cortez_Conversions on February 03, 2016, 01:05:58 AM
Glad you had fun Randy!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:40:31 AM
Quote from: STRIPER LOU on February 02, 2016, 11:35:37 PM
WOW Randy, looks like you guys had a ball. Its a blast catching those hundred pounders on jigs huh!!!!
Nice work,  ..  Lou

Thanks Lou.  You're right about fishing the jig.  You keep dropping it down and cranking it back up as fast as you can, and after doing that a few dozen times, you go on autopilot and start daydreaming and then the handle just stops and for a second you can't figure out what's going on, and then the line starts peeling off of the reel and you remember what you were doing and the adrenalin starts pumping.
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:43:30 AM
Quote from: BMITCH on February 02, 2016, 11:59:42 PM
NICE FISH!!!!

Thank you Bob!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:44:30 AM
Quote from: alantani on February 03, 2016, 12:01:46 AM
congratulations!!!!!!!  now get back to work!   ;D

Thank you Chief!  I am on the job as we speak.
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:45:51 AM
Quote from: swill88 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:37 AM
Great report Randy!

Thank you Steve!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:48:12 AM
Quote from: Tightlines666 on February 03, 2016, 12:17:42 AM
Nice work Randy!

30K not winds are no joke, and are uncomfortable at the least, on these larger vessels. 

Way to get it done!

Thank you John.  I know that you've seen a lot of giant ahi, but this one was my best so far and I still find myself reliving every moment.
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:53:34 AM
Quote from: steelhead_killer on February 03, 2016, 12:29:22 AM
Lots of sushi!   :o

Andy, I don't know how to do sushi, but the freezer is full of some prime vacuum-packed belly meat from a few of the fatter fish.  If you give me a day's notice when you are coming down the coast, we can do an all you can eat sashimi feast.  The crew on the Apollo take great care of the fish.  They are spiked, bled and into the RSW hold within five minutes of hitting the deck (gently).
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:00:45 AM
Quote from: David Hall on February 03, 2016, 12:46:29 AM
Nicely done.  Looks like it was a great trip.

Thank you!  We had a really good time, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend the Apollo to anyone who is interested in fishing with a great captain and crew on a roomy, stable fishing platform, and can live without fancy food and staterooms for a few days.
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:11:53 AM
Quote from: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:54 AM
Nice catch Randy!

Love the shirt as well...;)

Chad

Thank you Chad.  That's my Tokunaga Tackle shirt.  It has been pōmaika'i for me and I always try to remember to bring it fishing.  Do you live in Hilo?

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:20:43 AM
Quote from: Alto Mare on February 03, 2016, 12:42:28 AM
Nice fish Randy, I'm glad you had a great trip. How's your shoulder., from the pic looks like you're still standing straight, must not be too bad ;D.
Great job and good advice on the longer rod.

Sal

Thank you Sal.  My shoulder is fine, but my armpit still hurts like hell because I got too far back on the rod a few times and put all of my weight onto the sharp gimbal butt.  I didn't feel a thing while I was hooked up, but I sure did the next morning!

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:21:44 AM
Quote from: Dominick on February 03, 2016, 12:45:06 AM
Well done Randy.  Dominick

Thank you Dominick!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:23:57 AM
Quote from: David Hall on February 03, 2016, 12:46:29 AM
Nicely done.  Looks like it was a great trip.

Thank you David.

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:26:00 AM
Quote from: Shark Hunter on February 03, 2016, 12:50:50 AM
Good Job Randy!


Thank you Daron!

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:27:52 AM
Quote from: Cortez_Conversions on February 03, 2016, 01:05:58 AM
Glad you had fun Randy!

Thanks Tom.  It was a blast. 

I ordered your two frames today and I plan to pick them up next week.  Can you wait that long?  If that's a problem, I can have them ship them to me tomorrow.

Thanks again,

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: swill88 on February 03, 2016, 04:43:05 AM
Quote from: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 03:53:34 AM
Quote from: steelhead_killer on February 03, 2016, 12:29:22 AM
Lots of sushi!   :o

They are spiked, bled and into the RSW hold within five minutes of hitting the deck (gently).

Wish they all did it this way!

steve
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 08:18:44 AM
Quote from: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:11:53 AM
Quote from: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:54 AM
Nice catch Randy!

Love the shirt as well...;)

Chad

Thank you Chad.  That's my Tokunaga Tackle shirt.  It has been pōmaika'i for me and I always try to remember to bring it fishing.  Do you live in Hilo?

Randy

Randy,

Hilo is my hometown where I grew up.

I knew that shirt looked familiar..:)

Have you been to their new store over on Manono St?

It's 3x the size of the old one.

Chad
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Tightlines667 on February 03, 2016, 08:25:12 AM
Quote from: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:54 AM

....

Love the shirt as well...;)

Chad

X2 :)
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Yogi_fish808 on February 03, 2016, 09:38:19 AM
Looks like you had a great trip, nice fish Randy!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: coastal_dan on February 03, 2016, 01:05:51 PM
Sounds like a trip of a lifetime!  Congrats on your catches as well as filling up the freezer!
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Reel 224 on February 03, 2016, 01:19:00 PM
Randy: Nice catch! :o

Joe
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: mike1010 on February 03, 2016, 03:38:48 PM
Great report and that's some fish!

Mike
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: sdlehr on February 03, 2016, 04:03:57 PM
Well done, Randy! Nice fish!

Sid
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: broadway on February 03, 2016, 05:03:48 PM
Way to go, Randy... couldn't have happened to a better guy!
I bet it tastes even better than it looks. ;)
Good for you, stay fishy
Dom
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 10:38:36 PM
Quote from: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 08:18:44 AM
Quote from: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 04:11:53 AM
Quote from: cbar45 on February 03, 2016, 12:31:54 AM
Nice catch Randy!

Love the shirt as well...;)

Chad

Thank you Chad.  That's my Tokunaga Tackle shirt.  It has been pōmaika'i for me and I always try to remember to bring it fishing.  Do you live in Hilo?

Randy

Randy,

Hilo is my hometown where I grew up.

I knew that shirt looked familiar..:)

Have you been to their new store over on Manono St?

It's 3x the size of the old one.

Chad

Chad, what a great place to grow up.  I did see the new Tokunaga store when I was in Hilo the summer before last.  I have done a lot of travelling and I always try to stop in every tackle store that I pass to see if they have any old treasures that they might be willing to part with, and the new Tokunaga store is my favorite.  I met Michael and his crew three years ago when they gave me a table at their weigh-in headquarters for the ulua tournament and they made me feel welcome and I cannot say enough about what a great job they do. 

I love Hilo because I feel like I am really in Hawaii, not Disneyland like most of the resort areas.  It's too bad that there is so much wind on the Hilo side because I would love to fish there, but I do not do well in rough weather so when I come, I fish on the Kona side with Kevin Nakamaru, who is an amazing fisherman.

Where do you live now?

Randy

Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 03, 2016, 10:42:05 PM
Quote from: broadway on February 03, 2016, 05:03:48 PM
Way to go, Randy... couldn't have happened to a better guy!
I bet it tastes even better than it looks. ;)
Good for you, stay fishy
Dom

Thank you Dom, Mike, Sid, Dan, Joe and Yogi.  If you come visit me, you can have all of the sashimi that you can eat!

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Bryan Young on February 04, 2016, 01:31:39 AM
Hi Randy,

Look and sounds like you had a blast with room to fish. 

I'll be over for sashimi then Italian food in Pismo very soon.

Now get back to work...life is not all play.  lol

Bryan
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 04, 2016, 02:55:11 AM
Quote from: Bryan Young on February 04, 2016, 01:31:39 AM
Hi Randy,

Look and sounds like you had a blast with room to fish. 

I'll be over for sashimi then Italian food in Pismo very soon.

Now get back to work...life is not all play.  lol

Bryan

You have a deal Bryan.  Let me know as soon as you figure out when you are going to be in town.

Thanks,

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: sundaytrucka on February 04, 2016, 04:37:26 AM
Glad you had such a great trip Randy!!!

Sounds like an amazing time.

-Scott
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Newell Nut on February 06, 2016, 12:40:27 AM
Great Job Randy and I bet you had a bunch of adrenaline pumping when that drag started screaming.
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Vintage Offshore Tackle on February 06, 2016, 07:43:35 PM
Thank you Scott and Dwight.  The adrenaline was definitely pumping for the whole two hours, thinking of every possible way that I could lose that fish!

Randy
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: Brian A on February 09, 2016, 06:07:38 PM
congrats Randy.  sounds awesome.  i have to remember to plan one of these in my life.  will get in touch when that happens.  much aloha.

\mn/

Brian
Title: Re: I'm back from Puerto Vallarta and open for business. Had a great trip!
Post by: theluckpusher on February 11, 2016, 03:42:10 AM
that a great Pic and sounds like a great trip